Localized strained semiconductor on insulator

ABSTRACT

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a method for straining a transistor body region. In various embodiments, oxygen ions are implanted to a predetermined depth in a localized region of a semiconductor substrate, and the substrate is annealed. Oxide growth within the semiconductor substrate forms a local oxide region within the semiconductor substrate. A portion of the substrate forms a semiconductor layer over the local oxide region. In various embodiments, the semiconductor layer is an ultra-thin semiconductor layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less. The oxide growth strains the semiconductor layer. An active region, including the body region, of the transistor is formed in the strained semiconductor layer. Other aspects are provided herein.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/425,797, filed Apr. 29, 2003, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

This application is also the following commonly assigned U.S. patent applications which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety:

“Output Prediction Logic Circuits With Ultra-Thin Vertical Transistors and Methods of Formation,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/164,611, filed on Jun. 10, 2002;

“Micro-Mechanically Strained Semiconductor Film,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/379,749, filed on Mar. 5, 2003;

“Strained Si/SiGe Layer Structures By Ion Implantation,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/431,134, filed on May 7, 2003;

“Strained Semiconductor by Wafer Bonding with Misorientation,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/425,484, filed on Apr. 29, 2003; and

“Micromechanical Strained Silicon By Wafer Bonding,” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/431,137, filed on May 7, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to semiconductor structures, and more particularly, to strained semiconductor on insulator structures.

BACKGROUND

Two areas of interest for improving the speed and performance of semiconductor devices include strained silicon and silicon on insulator technologies. Strained silicon technology has been shown to enhance carrier mobility in both n and p-channel devices, and is being considered to improve the electron mobility and drift velocity in n-channel MOSFET's in CMOS technology. Silicon on insulator structures have been shown to reduce parasitic capacitances, and to increase switching speed of digital circuits and frequency in radio frequency (RF) circuits.

One technique for producing strained silicon involves growing silicon (Si) layers on relaxed silicon-germanium (SiGe) layers. A large mismatch in the cell structure between the Si and SiGe layers causes a pseudo-morphic layer of Si on relaxed SiGe to be under biaxial tensile strain. The biaxial strain modifies the band structure and enhances carrier transport in the Si layer. For example, a 1% strain of the silicon layer almost doubles the electron mobility. One method for forming the strained Si layer on the relaxed SiGe layer involves epitaxially growing the Si and SiGe layers using an ultra-high vacuum chemical vapor deposition (UHVCVD) process, and is a costly and complex process.

A proposed back end approach for straining silicon applies uniaxial strain to wafers/dies after the integrated circuit process is complete. The dies are thinned to membrane dimensions and then affixed to curved substrates to apply an in-plane, tensile strain after device manufacture. Another method for straining silicon forms voids in a transistor structure to produce a localized mechanical strain in the silicon.

One technique for fabricating a silicon-on-insulator structure involves a SIMOX (Separation by IMplantation of OXygen-Silicon-On-Insulator) process. The SIMOX process uses a very high dose and high energy oxygen implant followed by an oxide growth to form a deep and thick buried oxide (BOX) region. The SIMOX process typically forms a BOX region 3000 Å thick or thicker. The silicon layer over the BOX region is typically 1000 Å or thicker.

There is a need in the art to provide improved semiconductor structures, and to provide methods of forming improved semiconductor structures, that improve the speed and performance of semiconductor devices through increased mobility and decreased stray capacitive loading.

SUMMARY

The above mentioned problems are addressed and will be understood by reading and studying this specification. Various embodiments of the present invention relate to strained semiconductor films along with the structures and devices that include strained semiconductor films. Various embodiments of the present invention further relate to methods of forming the strained semiconductor films along with methods of forming structures and devices that include strained semiconductor films.

One aspect relates to a method for straining a transistor body region. In various embodiments, oxygen ions are implanted to a predetermined depth in a localized region of a semiconductor substrate, and the substrate is annealed. Oxide growth within the semiconductor substrate forms a local oxide region within the semiconductor substrate. A portion of the substrate forms a semiconductor layer over the local oxide region. The semiconductor layer has a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less. The oxide growth strains the semiconductor layer. An active region, including the body region, of the transistor is formed in the strained semiconductor layer.

One aspect relates to a transistor structure. Various embodiments of the transistor include a semiconductor substrate, and a localized insulator region formed within the substrate to partially separate a semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer has a strain induced by growth of the insulator region. The strained semiconductor layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less. First and second diffusion regions are formed in the strained semiconductor layer over the insulator region. The first and second diffusion regions are separated by a body region in the strained semiconductor layer. A gate is positioned over the body region, and is separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.

In various embodiments, the semiconductor substrate includes a silicon substrate, the strained semiconductor layer includes a strained silicon layer, and the insulator region includes an oxide region. In various embodiments, the oxide region is formed using a SIMOX (Separation by IMplantation of OXygen) process. In various embodiments, the oxide region is formed using a SPIMOX (Separation by Plasma IMplantation of OXygen) process. Various embodiments provide ultra-thin strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors. Shallow oxygen implants are formed in a localized area to produce pockets of oxide under a surface layer of silicon. The silicon above the oxide pocket is stretched and strained by a heat treatment process and a resulting oxide growth.

These and other aspects, embodiments, advantages, and features will become apparent from the following description and the referenced drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the lattice constant of a Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate for different percentages (X) of Ge.

FIG. 2 illustrates the mobility enhancement for strained Si for different percentages (X) of Ge in a Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate.

FIG. 3 illustrates a relationship between elastic strain and semiconductor layer thicknesses.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process for forming shallow oxygen implants such as is used in a process to produce strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process for forming a buried oxide (BOX) region from the shallow oxygen implants such as is used in a process to produce strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the strain in the semiconductor layer achieved by the process to produce strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates an n-channel CMOS transistor with a strained channel, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for forming a device with an ultra-thin strained semiconductor layer, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for growing a local insulator area in a substrate, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for forming a device with an ultra-thin semiconductor layer with an approximate uniform strain, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of a memory device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of an electronic system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of illustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive as aspects of one embodiment can be combined with aspects of another embodiment. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the following description, the terms wafer and substrate are interchangeably used to refer generally to any structure on which integrated circuits are formed, and also to such structures during various stages of integrated circuit fabrication. Both terms include doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of a semiconductor on a supporting semiconductor or insulating material, combinations of such layers, as well as other such structures that are known in the art. The terms “horizontal” and “vertical”, as well as prepositions such as “on”, “side”, “over” and “under” are used in relation to the conventional plane or surface of a wafer or substrate, regardless of the orientation of the wafer or substrate. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Various embodiments provide a local semiconductor structure with a strained semiconductor layer on insulator. Various embodiments provide strained silicon body layers for n-channel transistors. Various embodiments provide advantages for CMOS transistors because of the strained semiconductor on insulator structure. Various embodiments provide a technique to produce ultra-thin strained silicon body layers over a local insulator.

Mobility is improved by straining semiconductor material. As noted earlier, one technique for producing strained silicon involves growing silicon (Si) layers on relaxed silicon-germanium (SiGe) layers. Si has a lattice constant of 5.43095 Å, and Ge has a lattice constant of 5.64613 Å. The lattice constant of SiGe is between the lattice constant of Si and the lattice constant of Ge, and depends on the percentage of Ge in the SiGe layer. FIG. 1 illustrates the lattice constant of a Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate for different percentages (X) of Ge. As indicated by FIG. 1, a Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate containing about 30% Ge (X≈0.3) has a lattice constant of about 5.50 Å. The biaxial strain of the Si on the SiGe can be calculated as follows: $\begin{matrix} {{{Biaxial\_ Strain} = \frac{{SiGe}_{LC} - {Si}_{LC}}{{Si}_{LC}}},} & (1) \end{matrix}$ where the subscript LC represents the lattice constant of the SiGe or Si. Thus, as shown in Equation 2, the Si on the SiGe substrate has a biaxial strain of about 1.28%. $\begin{matrix} {{{Biaxial\_ Strain} \approx \frac{5.50 - 5.43}{5.43}} = {1.28{\%.}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$ FIG. 2 illustrates the mobility enhancement for strained Si for different percentages (X) of Ge in a Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate. The mobility enhancement increases as the percentage of Ge in the Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) increases, and levels off to around 1.6 when the percentage of Ge is around 22% or larger. Referring to FIG. 1, 22% Ge provides the Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate with a lattice constant (SiGe_(LC)) of around 5.485. Using Equation 1, it is determined that the corresponding strain for 22% Ge (the approximate point where the mobility enhancement levels off) is about 1%.

When the percentage of Ge in the Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) is about 20% (near the knee of the curve), it can be calculated that the resulting strain is about 0.75%. When the percentage of Ge in the Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) is about 40%, it can be calculated that the resulting strain is about 1.5%. Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that a Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate having just under 10% Ge still provides considerable mobility enhancement (1.3). A Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate having just under 10% Ge provides the Si_(1-X)Ge_(X) substrate with a lattice constant (SiGe_(LC)) of around 5.457. Using Equation 1, it is determined that the corresponding strain is around 0.5%. Thus, it is desirable to achieve a biaxial strain around or greater than 0.5%, and preferably around 1% or greater to obtain the desired enhanced mobility associated with strained Si.

Various embodiments of the present invention mechanically induce a strain in thin semiconductor layers, such as ultra thin silicon layers having a thickness around 300 Å or less. FIG. 3 illustrates a relationship between elastic strain and semiconductor layer thicknesses. The semiconductor yield is plotted with respect to plastic deformation and defects in bulk samples. The illustrated values represent the relationship of thin SiGe layers on silicon. FIG. 3 illustrates that thin layers of silicon or other semiconductor materials are more tolerant of strain than thick bulk samples. Previously, thin layers of SiGe have been fabricated on silicon because of the tolerance of the thin layers to strain. FIG. 3 indicates that 300 Å thin semiconductor layers can be strained up to about 2%. However, as illustrated earlier with respect to FIG. 2, the mobility enhancement levels off when the strain reaches about 1%.

It is thus desirable to strain a thin semiconductor layer with a strain greater than 0.5% to achieve significant mobility enhancement. It is desirable to strain a thin semiconductor layer, such as an ultra-thin layer approximately 300 Å or less, with a strain within a range of approximately 0.75% to approximately 1.5% where the mobility enhancement levels off. It is also desirable to reduce unnecessary strain and provide a margin for error without unduly affecting the mobility enhancement. Thus, it is desirable to strain a thin semiconductor layer with a strain in the range of approximately 1% to approximately 1.2%.

As noted earlier, silicon on insulator structures have been shown to reduce parasitic capacitances, and to increase switching speed of digital circuits and frequency in radio frequency (RF) circuits. One technique for fabricating a silicon-on-insulator structure involves a SIMOX (Separation by IMplantation of OXygen-Silicon-On-Insulator) process. The SIMOX process uses a very high dose and high energy oxygen implant followed by an oxide growth to form a deep and thick buried oxide (BOX) region. The BOX region is typically 3000 Å thick or thicker and the silicon layer over the BOX region is typically 1000 Å or thicker when the SIMOX process has been used. The SIMOX process is an expensive process. Other problems with the SIMOX process involve the large number of defects introduced by the high dose (typically of the order 10¹⁸/cm²) and high energy oxygen implant required to form the thick BOX regions, and introduced by the strain caused during the subsequent oxide growth under the silicon layer.

During research to develop self-assembled growth of nanostructures that are free from the optical lithography minimum feature size limit, silicon was strained using localized SIMOX implants (line or ring formation), and epitaxial Ge was grown on the strained areas of the silicon. Epitaxial Ge does not grow on normal silicon wafers because of the larger lattice constant of Ge. The resulting biaxial strain in the silicon did not match the Ge lattice constant, thus only small islands of Ge grew.

Various embodiments of the present invention mechanically strain a thin semiconductor layer, and uses the mechanically-strained semiconductor in an active region of a device. The thin semiconductor layer is also referred to herein as an ultra-thin semiconductor layer. Various ultra-thin semiconductor layer embodiments have a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less. The semiconductor layer is mechanically strained by growing a local insulator region to partially separate the semiconductor layer from a semiconductor substrate. The local insulator region is formed underneath where the active region of the device is to be formed. The amount of strain in the semiconductor layer over the local insulator region is controlled by controlling the size and shape of the insulator region. In various embodiments, a silicon layer is mechanically strained by growing a local oxide region in a silicon substrate to partially separate the silicon layer from a silicon substrate.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process for forming shallow oxygen implants such as is used in a process to produce strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors, according to various embodiments of the present invention. A mask 402 is formed over a silicon substrate 404 to define a local area corresponding to a desired location of a transistor. Oxygen ions are implanted, as represented by the arrows 406, to form shallow oxygen implants 408. In various embodiments, the range (R), or depth, of the oxygen implants is 300 Å or less to form an ultra-thin, strained silicon body layer upon completion of the process.

In various embodiments, the illustrated process for forming the shallow oxygen implants involves a SIMOX process. The layer thicknesses illustrated in FIG. 4 are much thinner than conventional SIMOX processes. Conventional SIMOX use very high dose and high energy implants, which can cause an unacceptable amount of damage in the silicon surface layer. In conventional SIMOX processes to form conventional non-local BOX regions, a silicon layer over the BOX region is typically 1000 Å or thicker, and the BOX region is typically 3000 Å thick. These dimensions correspond to a large volume of oxide and high oxygen dose, typically of the order 10¹⁸/cm² and energies of 180 KeV. Thus, in various embodiments, the illustrated process for forming the shallow oxygen implants involves a SPIMOX (Separation by Plasma Implantation of Oxygen-Silicon-On-Insulator) process. A SPIMOX process only requires an oxygen dose of the order 10¹⁷/cm² and energies of 60 KeV. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, how to use SIMOX and SPIMOX processes to form oxygen implants and produce strained body layers in accordance with the present subject matter.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process for forming a buried oxide (BOX) region from the shallow oxygen implants such as is used in a process to produce strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors, according to various embodiments of the present invention. The substrate 504 is heat treated or annealed such that an oxide pocket 510, also referred to herein as a BOX region, is formed by the localized shallow oxygen implants 408 shown in FIG. 4. The resulting oxide growth partially separates a surface silicon layer 512 from the substrate 504. The edges of the silicon layer 512 remain attached to the substrate 504. The growth of the BOX region 510 strains this silicon layer 512 over the BOX region 510.

The illustrated silicon layer 512 has a thickness T(Si), and the illustrated BOX region 510 has a thickness T(OX). Additionally, the footprint area of the BOX region 510 within the substrate 504 generally corresponds to the local area corresponding to the desired location of the transistor. The BOX region 510 has a length L. The thickness of the silicon layer is an ultra-thin silicon layer corresponding to a thickness of 300 Å or less. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the dose and energy of the ion implants as well as the mask design are capable of being engineered to form an oxide region with a desired size and shape, and thus provide a desired strain in the silicon layer.

Referring to both FIG. 4 and 5, various embodiments use an oxide mask 402 with a tapered region or edge 414 proximate to the local area. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sloping oxide edge of the implant mask absorbs some of the implanted oxygen such that fewer oxygen ions 406 penetrate the silicon substrate through the tapered region 414, and those oxygen ions that do penetrate through the tapered region 414 penetrate the substrate 404 to a shallower depth, as represented by the portion 416 of the oxygen implants that extends closer to the substrate surface. The use of this tapered mask produces a BOX region 510 with a tapered shape when the shallow oxygen implants 408 are annealed. The tapered mask and the implant process can be engineered to provide a desired tapered shape of the resulting BOX region 510 to provide the silicon layer 512 over the BOX region 510 with a relatively uniform strain.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the strain in the semiconductor layer achieved by the process to produce strained silicon body layers for n-channel CMOS transistors illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. According to various embodiments using either conventional ion implantation such as SIMOX or SPIMOX, a BOX region 610 is formed in the substrate 604 at an average distance of about 325 Å under the substrate surface. The illustrated BOX region 610 has a length (L) of approximately 3000 Å and a thickness (T(OX)) of about 450 Å, such that the BOX region 610 extends from approximately 100 Å to 550 Å below the substrate surface. Thus, an ultra-thin layer 612 of approximately 100 Å remains over the BOX region 610. Referring to FIG. 6B, the growth of the BOX region displaces the 100 Å surface layer of silicon upwards by about 225 Å (½ of T(OX)). The original length of the silicon layer increases by a change (Δ) corresponding to the strain induced in the silicon layer. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, half the length of the silicon layer (½ of L) increases by a Δ (strain). If the distance to the edge of the BOX region is 1500 Å (½ of L), then it can be calculated that a 1.1% strain of the silicon surface layer results from the growth of the illustrated BOX region 610 that has a thickness of approximately 450 Å and a length of approximately 3000 Å. Thus, various embodiments of the present invention are capable of mechanically straining the ultra-thin silicon layer within the desired range of approximately 1% to approximately 1.2% to achieve a desired mobility enhancement with an appropriate margin for error and without unnecessarily straining the ultra-thin silicon layer.

FIG. 7 illustrates an n-channel CMOS transistor with a strained channel, according to various embodiments of the present invention. Conventional techniques can be used to from n-channel CMOS transistors with a strained silicon channel. Upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated n-channel CMOS transistor is not drawn to scale, as the vertical dimensions have been expanded to better illustrate the structure.

The illustrated structure includes a silicon substrate 704 with a local BOX region 710 formed therein at a location corresponding to the desired location of the transistor. The formation of the BOX region 710-partially separates a silicon layer 712, which can also be referred to as a surface silicon layer, from the remainder of the silicon substrate 704. This silicon layer 712 is strained. The illustrated BOX region 710 has a tapered shape, which provides an approximate uniform strain to the silicon layer 712. Conventional techniques can be used to form the transistor 720 using the locally strained and insulated silicon layer 712. Diffusion regions 722 and 724 are formed in the strained silicon layer 712 over the local BOX region 710. In various embodiments, the diffusion regions are implanted with n+ dopants. A strained body region 726 is between the diffusion regions 722 and 724. A gate 728 is operably positioned over and separated from the strained body region 726 by a gate dielectric 730. The illustrated structure shows a word (WL) line connected to the gate 728 and a bit line (BL) connected to one of the diffusion regions 722.

In various embodiments, the strained body region 726 is formed in an ultra-thin silicon layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less. In various embodiments, the strained body region 726 is formed in an ultra-thin silicon layer having a thickness of approximately 100 Å or less. In various embodiments, the strained body region 726 is formed in an ultra-thin silicon layer having a thickness of approximately 50 Å or less. In various embodiments, the strained body region 726 is formed in an ultra-thin silicon layer having a thickness within a range of approximately 20 Å to approximately 30 Å.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for forming a device with an ultra-thin strained semiconductor layer, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments of the method 840, as represented at 842, a local insulator area, such as an oxide region, is grown in a substrate to partially separate and strain an ultra-thin semiconductor layer from the substrate. At 844, diffusion regions are formed in the strained semiconductor layer, and at 846, a gate dielectric and a gate are operably formed over the strained semiconductor layer. Formation of the diffusion regions at 844 and the gate dielectric and gate at 846 form a transistor using the strained semiconductor layer, as generally represented at 848.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method for growing a local insulator area in a substrate, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments for growing a local insulator area in a substrate 942, a local insulator area is grown by implanting oxygen ions, as represented at 950, and the substrate is annealed, as represented at 952. Various embodiments use a SIMOX process, and various embodiments use a SPIMOX process to grow the local insulator area.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method for forming a device with an ultra-thin semiconductor layer with an approximate uniform strain, according to various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments of the method 1040, as represented at 1054, a tapered mask is deposited on a substrate to define a local area where a transistor device is to be formed. A local insulator area is grown at 1042. In various embodiments, the local insulator area is grown by implanting oxygen ions into the local area of the substrate at 1050, and annealing or heat-treating the substrate to grow an oxide at 1052. The resulting growth of the oxide induces a strain in a surface layer of silicon that is separated from the silicon substrate. At 1056, the tapered mask is removed at an appropriate time in the process, and a transistor is formed using the resulting strained semiconductor layer at 1048.

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of a memory device according to various embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated memory device 1168 includes a memory array 1170 and read/write control circuitry 1172 to perform operations on the memory array via communication line(s) 1174. The illustrated memory device 1168 may be a memory card or a memory module such as a single inline memory module (SIMM) and dual inline memory module (DIMM). One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that semiconductor components in the memory array 1170 and/or the control circuitry 1172 are able to be fabricated using the strained semiconductor films, as described above. For example, in various embodiments, the memory array 1170 and/or the control circuitry 1172 include transistors with strained, ultra-thin body layers. The structure and fabrication methods for these strained, ultra-thin body layers have been described above.

The memory array 1170 includes a number of memory cells 1178. The memory cells in the array are arranged in rows and columns. In various embodiments, word lines 1180 connect the memory cells in the rows, and bit lines 1182 connect the memory cells in the columns. The read/write control circuitry 1172 includes word line select circuitry 1174, which functions to select a desired row. The read/write control circuitry 1172 further includes bit line select circuitry 1176, which functions to select a desired column.

FIG. 12 is a simplified block diagram of a high-level organization of various embodiments of an electronic system according to the present invention. In various embodiments, the system 1200 is a computer system, a process control system or other system that employs a processor and associated memory. The electronic system 1200 has functional elements, including a processor or arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) 1202, a control unit 1204, a memory device unit 1206 (such as illustrated in FIG. 11) and an input/output (I/O) device 1208. Generally such an electronic system 1200 will have a native set of instructions that specify operations to be performed on data by the processor 1202 and other interactions between the processor 1202, the memory device unit 1206 and the 1/0 devices 1208. The control unit 1204 coordinates all operations of the processor 1202, the memory device 1206 and the 1/0 devices 1208 by continuously cycling through a set of operations that cause instructions to be fetched from the memory device 1206 and executed. According to various embodiments, the memory device 1206 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM) devices, read-only memory (ROM) devices, and peripheral devices such as a floppy disk drive and a compact disk CD-ROM drive. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, any of the illustrated electrical components are capable of being fabricated to include strained semiconductor films in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

The illustration of the system 1200 is intended to provide a general understanding of one application for the structure and circuitry using embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of an electronic system. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, such an electronic system can be fabricated in single-package processing units, or even on a single semiconductor chip, in order to reduce the communication time between the processor and the memory device.

Applications containing strained semiconductor films, such as transistors with a strained ultra-thin semiconductor body layer, as described in this disclosure include electronic systems for use in memory modules, device drivers, power modules, communication modems, processor modules, and application-specific modules, and may include multilayer, multichip modules. Such circuitry can further be a subcomponent of a variety of electronic systems.

CONCLUSION

Various embodiments disclosed herein locally grow an insulator region to partially separate and strain an upper or surface semiconductor layer of the substrate positioned over the insulator region. Thus, a locally strained semiconductor on a local insulator region is provided. In various embodiments, a SPIMOX or SIMOX process is used to form a local BOX region. A tapered mask is used to control the shape of the resulting BOX region to control the strain throughout the semiconductor layer. The locally strained semiconductor layer is used to form a transistor over the BOX region. The strained semiconductor on insulator devices disclosed herein improve the speed and performance of semiconductor devices through increased mobility and decreased stray capacitive loading.

This disclosure includes several processes, circuit diagrams, and cell structures. The present invention is not limited to a particular process order or logical arrangement. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

1. A transistor structure, comprising: a semiconductor substrate; a localized insulator region formed within the substrate to partially separate a semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor layer having a strain induced by growth of the insulator region, the strained semiconductor layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less; first and second diffusion regions formed in the strained semiconductor layer over the insulator region, the first and second diffusion regions being separated by a body region in the strained semiconductor layer; and a gate operably positioned over the body region, the gate being separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.
 2. The transistor structure of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer has a strain within a range between approximately 0.75% and approximately 1.5%.
 3. The transistor structure of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer has a thickness of approximately 50 Å.
 4. The transistor structure of claim 1, wherein the localized insulator region has a tapered shape such that the growth of the insulator region strains the semiconductor layer with an approximately uniform strain.
 5. A transistor structure, comprising: a silicon substrate; a localized buried oxide (BOX) region formed within the silicon substrate to partially separate a silicon layer from the silicon substrate, the silicon layer being positioned over the BOX region, the silicon layer having a strain induced by growth of the BOX region, the strained silicon layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less; first and second diffusion regions formed in the strained silicon layer over the BOX region, the first and second diffusion regions being separated by a body region in the strained silicon layer; and a gate operably positioned over the body region, the gate being separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.
 6. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the strained silicon layer has a thickness of approximately 50 Å or less.
 7. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the strained silicon layer has a thickness within a range of approximately 20 Å to approximately 30 Å.
 8. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is over 0.5%.
 9. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is approximately 0.75% or greater.
 10. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is within a range between approximately 0.75% and approximately 1.5%.
 11. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is within a range between approximately 1% and approximately 1.2%.
 12. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the BOX region has a length of approximately 3000 Å and a thickness of approximately 450 Å, and the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is approximately 1.1%.
 13. The transistor structure of claim 5, wherein the BOX region has a tapered shape such that the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is approximately uniform.
 14. A transistor structure, comprising: a silicon substrate; a localized buried oxide (BOX) region formed within the silicon substrate to partially separate a silicon layer from the silicon substrate, the silicon layer having a strain induced by growth of the BOX region, the BOX region having a length of approximately 3000 Å and a thickness of approximately 450 Å to strain in the silicon layer with a strain within a range between approximately 1% and approximately 1.2%, the BOX region having a tapered shape such that the strain in the silicon layer is approximately uniform, the strained silicon layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less; first and second diffusion regions formed in the strained silicon layer over the BOX region, the first and second diffusion regions being separated by a body region in the strained silicon layer; and a gate operably positioned over the body region, the gate being separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.
 15. The transistor structure of claim 14, wherein the strained silicon layer has a thickness of approximately 50 Å or less.
 16. The transistor structure of claim 14, wherein the strained silicon layer has a thickness within a range of approximately 20 Å to approximately 30 Å.
 17. An n-channel CMOS transistor structure, comprising: a silicon substrate; a localized buried oxide (BOX) region formed within the silicon substrate to partially separate a silicon layer from the silicon substrate, the silicon layer being positioned over the BOX region, the silicon layer having a strain induced by growth of the BOX region, the induced strain being within a range of approximately 0.75% to approximately 1.5%, the strained silicon layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less; first and second diffusion regions containing an n+ type dopant formed in the strained silicon layer over the BOX region, the first and second diffusion regions being separated by a body region in the strained silicon layer; and a gate operably positioned over the body region, the gate being separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.
 18. The transistor structure of claim 17, wherein the strained silicon layer has a thickness of approximately 50 Å or less.
 19. The transistor structure of claim 17, wherein the strained silicon layer has a thickness within a range of approximately 20 Å to approximately 30 Å.
 20. The transistor structure of claim 17, wherein the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is within a range between approximately 1% and approximately 1.2%.
 21. The transistor structure of claim 17, wherein the strain of the silicon layer over the BOX region is approximately 1.1%.
 22. A memory array, comprising: a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns, the memory cells being formed in a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of word lines, each word line being connected to a row of memory cells; a plurality of bit lines, each bit line being connected to a column of memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes at least one transistor, including: a localized insulator region formed within the semiconductor substrate to partially separate a semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor layer having a strain induced by growth of the insulator region, the strained semiconductor layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less; first and second diffusion regions formed in the strained semiconductor layer over the insulator region, the first and second diffusion regions being separated by a body region in the strained semiconductor layer; and a gate operably positioned over the body region, the gate being separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.
 23. The memory array of claim 22, wherein: the semiconductor substrate includes a silicon substrate; and the strained semiconductor layer includes a strained silicon layer.
 24. A memory device, comprising: a memory array formed in a semiconductor substrate, including: a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of word lines, each word line being connected to a row of memory cells; a plurality of bit lines, each bit line being connected to a column of memory cells; and control circuitry formed in the semiconductor substrate, including word line select circuitry and bit line select circuitry for use in selecting a number of memory cells for writing and reading operations, wherein at least one of the memory array and the control circuitry includes at least one transistor, including: a localized insulator region formed within the semiconductor substrate to partially separate a semiconductor layer from the semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor layer having a strain induced by growth of the insulator region, the strained semiconductor layer having a thickness of approximately 300 Å or less; first and second diffusion regions formed in the strained semiconductor layer over the insulator region, the first and second diffusion regions being separated by a body region in the strained semiconductor layer; and a gate operably positioned over the body region, the gate being separated from the body region by a gate dielectric.
 25. The memory device of claim 24, wherein: the semiconductor substrate includes a silicon substrate; and the strained semiconductor layer includes a strained silicon layer. 